29 August 2008 TO ALL MEMBERS Dear Sirs, Entry into force of the Bunkers Convention – State Certification Members have previously been advised that the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage 2001 (the “Bunkers Convention”) will enter into force in State Parties (updated list below) on 21 November 2008 and that Clubs in the International Group have agreed to issue the required Bunker Convention “Blue Cards” to enable State parties to issue Bunker Convention certificates. Ships registered in non-State Parties Ships registered in a State Party need only obtain a State certificate from that State. However, ships registered in a State which is not party to the Convention and which require a certificate because they are calling at a port or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in the territorial waters of a State Party to the Convention after the entry into force date must obtain a State issued certificate from a State Party to the Convention. Discussions with State Parties would suggest that the majority are prepared to issue certificates to such ships if calling at a port in their territory, or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in their territorial waters, after the entry into force date of the Convention and with sufficient evidence that this is the case. A small number of State Parties have now agreed to issue certificates to ships registered in non-State Parties irrespective of whether they are calling at a port in their territory or arriving at or leaving an offshore facility in their territorial waters after the entry into force date. Since the Blue Card is required to be addressed to a State Party that is willing to issue the certificates to such ships, it is now possible for the Clubs in the International Group to issue Blue Cards to ships registered in non-State parties. Ideally, if calling at a port or offshore facility in a State party, the certificate should still be obtained from the issuing authority of that particular State. Alternatively, in the event that this is not possible certificates for ships registered in non-State parties can now be obtained from either: 2 UK CLC Bunkers Maritime and Coastguard Agency Bay 2/13 Spring Place 105 Commercial Road Southampton SO15 1EG UK Telephone: +44 (0)23 80329110 (public enquiries) Fax : +44 (0) 23 8032 9447 Internet: http://www.ukshipregister.co.uk/ukr-home/forms.htm Email address (s): bunkers@mcga.gov.uk General Enquiries: infoline@mcga.gov.uk Contact person: Richard Tong, + 44 (0)23 80 329202 Liberia Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry ATTN: Bunker CLC Applications 8619 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 300 Vienna, Virginia 22182, USA Email contact: clc@liscr.com Tel: 1+ 703 790 3434 Fax: 1+ 703 790 5655 or, Cyprus Director Department of Merchant Shipping Registrar of Cyprus Ships Kyllinis Street, Mesa Geitonia CY-4007 LIMASSOL Cyprus Telephone: +357 25 848 100 Fax: +357 25 848 200 E-mail: maritimeadmin@dms.mcw.gov.cy Internet: www.shipping.gov.cy Contact person(s): telephone direct: + 357 25 848 237 It should be noted that the UK will issue certificates to Red Ensign flagged vessels (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and the British Virgin Islands) since the UK has not at present extended UK ratification of the Convention to their Overseas Territories/Crown Dependencies, and that Cyprus has only agreed to issue a limited number of certificates to ships registered in non-State Parties. A small number of